BY: MATTHEW BLITTNER SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR TO MSGNETWORKS On a day when numerous players across the NHL signed lucrative long-term contracts with the teams of their choosing, the Rangers were content to sit back and watch the frenzy from a distance. Ever since February of last season, the Blueshirts have maintained they were dedicated to rebuilding their team […]
By: Matthew Blittner Special Contributor to MSGNetworks For 13 — soon to be 14 — years, Henrik Lundqvist has manned the Rangers’ net with grace and dignity. But nothing lasts forever. Therefore, even though “The King” still has at least a few good years left, the Blueshirts decided to fortify their organizational depth at goalie by […]
By: Matthew Blittner Special Contributor to MSGNetworks For better or worse, little guys tend to get overlooked in hockey. Their size — or lack thereof — often gets them tagged with unwanted criticism. But it just goes to show you, you should never judge a book by its cover. In fact, in the past decade alone, […]
By: Matthew Blittner Special Contributor to MSGNetworks It’s that time of year when hope springs eternal and newly drafted prospects try to make good first impressions. Most teams hold their annual Prospect Development Camps immediately following the draft and the Rangers are no exception. “This is a great chance for the guys to get to see […]
By Matthew Blittner Special Contributor to MSGNetworks.com After making three selections in the first-round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft on Friday night, the Rangers went into Day Two of the draft aiming to stockpile depth; primarily in the form of young defensemen. So here’s their round-by-round breakdown. [Complete Rangers Draft Coverage] SECOND ROUND The […]
By Matthew Blittner Special Contributor to MSGNetworks.com The Rangers just dove head first into the deep end of the prospect pool. Looking to make a splash Friday night, the Blueshirts selected Russian right-winger Vitali Kravtsov with the ninth overall draft pick in the first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Kravtsov is a 6-foot-2 […]
With Lou Lamoriello already in the fold and Barry Trotz the latest to sign a contract, the Islanders have completed two-thirds of their personnel hat-trick. Completion, of course, will depend on whether the new Lou-Barry duet can persuade John Tavares to remain with the club as captain. That decision will likely come soon; around the July […]
By Matthew Blittner Special Contributor to MSGNetworks.com In a wide open draft year, the only common consensus among those in the know, is Buffalo selecting defenseman Rasmus Dahlin with the No. 1 overall pick on June 22 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Once you get to Carolina in the two spot, it’s anyone’s […]
By Matthew Blittner Special Contributor to MSGNetworks.com John Amirante was truly a class act. When he sang the national anthem at Madison Square Garden during the playoffs, it made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Players say they like to feed off the energy of the crowd, but the crowd always […]
By Matthew Blittner Special Contributor to MSGNetworks.com A season never truly ends, so much as a new one begins. On Tuesday, April 10, 2018, the New York Rangers said their final goodbyes to their disappointing 2017-18 season. But one thing every player made sure to mention was how important it is to be prepared for […]
